Republic of Queimada

The Republic of Queimada (1838-1848) was a republic located on the Lesser Antilles island of Queimada in the Caribbean Sea. Founded after an aristocratic and slave revolt agianst Portugal, it was eventually taken over by the former slaves, and Great Britain took control of the island.

History


The Republic of Queimada was declared on 13 May 1845 after a slave uprising led by Jose Dolores and an aristocratic revolt led by Terry Sanchez. Dolores, made a General by the provisional government, disbanded the rebel army and Sanchez became the president of the new republic. On 7 March 1847 the Republic of Queimada ceded to the Royal Antilles Sugar Company the right of exploitation of the sugar plantations for 99 years, but the Royal Sugar Company managed Queimada's economy instead of the government managing their own economy. On 23 February 1848 the sugarcane cutters entered the city, protesting against their low working conditions. They sacked the stores, so the Queimadan Army had to intervene and shoot down several of them. 32 Queimadans were killed and 100 wounded. Britain decided to intervene three months later, as Dolores became the leader of the rebel army.

Dolores decided that "it was better to know where to go, but not how, rather than how to go, but not where"; he did not want white civilization due to the uncertain future of Queimada. Dolores then said that the slaves must then cut heads instead of cane, inciting a rebellion. For six years, Dolores and his band of 100 poorly-armed men (according to a government report) fought thousands of well-armed Queimadan troops. Walker advised the army to burn out the rebel villagers of the sierra, evicting the villagers and burning down their small cities. Eventually, President Sanchez attempted to remove power from General Alfonso Prada, but Prada imprisoned him and let British troops into the country. The British burnt down the island and finally caught Dolores after a long chase, finding him attempting to climb a hill. He lost everything, including part of speech, and was sentenced to death. Dolores was hung, and shortly after, Walker was stabbed by one of Dolores' followers.

Queimada was then occupied by British troops, and is currently part of the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom.